Spain Imposes Port and Airspace Ban on Israeli Weapons Shipments
Madrid Imposes Historic Arms Embargo in Response to Gaza Genocide. This measure is part of a broader effort to end what Sánchez openly called the “elimination of a defenseless people” in Gaza.
Spain, PUREWILAYAH.COM - The Spanish government has taken a decisive stance against the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza, announcing the closure of all Spanish ports and airspace to ships and aircraft carrying weapons, ammunition, or defense systems destined for Israel.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, in a press conference on Monday, declared:
“We have decided to close Spanish ports to Israeli ships carrying defense systems. We have also decided to close our airspace to all aircraft carrying weapons or ammunition to Israel. Furthermore, tankers supplying the Israeli military with fuel will be banned from docking in Spanish ports.”
This measure is part of a broader effort to end what Sánchez openly called the “elimination of a defenseless people” in Gaza.
He stressed that “there is a difference between defending your country and bombing hospitals or killing people through starvation,” urging for an urgent and just peace in the Middle East.
Increased Humanitarian Support for Gaza
Alongside the embargo, Spain will boost its humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza. Sánchez confirmed an additional €10 million contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
He acknowledged that prior efforts had failed to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians and insisted on the need for stronger international action. Spain’s foreign policy now firmly positions itself as one of the most vocal critics within Europe of Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
Legislative and Sanction Measures
Spanish daily El Pais reported that the government is preparing a legislative package to implement an effective arms embargo and is considering accelerating an existing ban on arms exports to Israel.
The measures are expected to be approved on Tuesday and could include sanctions targeting individuals and entities involved in Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.
In July, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced that Madrid would urge the European Union to impose a ban on arms sales to Israel and to sanction those opposing the two-state solution.
Historical Political Stand
Spain has repeatedly condemned Israel’s war on Gaza, with Sánchez becoming the first European leader to publicly accuse Israel of committing genocide.
Before meeting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, Sánchez told The Guardian that the Gaza conflict represents “one of the darkest episodes in international relations in the 21st century” and declared it a failure of global diplomacy.
Hamas Welcomes Spain’s Decision
The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas issued a statement on Monday praising Spain’s move as a “significant political and moral step” towards ending the genocide, starvation, and mass displacement inflicted on Palestinians by the Israeli occupation army.
Hamas urged all arms-exporting countries to adopt similar measures and to escalate political, economic, and legal pressure on Israel.
The movement emphasized that such actions are essential to ending violations of international law, humanitarian norms, and the collective will of the global community. (PW)